Allen-Bradley 1203-SSS User manual

Smart
Self-powered
Serial
Converter
(Cat. No.1203-SSS)
Series B
FRN 2.xxx
Allen-Bradley
User Manual
Allen-Bradley

Important User Information
Because of the variety of uses for the products described in this
publication, those responsible for the application and use of this control
equipment must satisfy themselves that all necessary steps have been
taken to assure that each application and use meets all performance and
safety requirements, including any applicable laws, regulations, codes
and standards.
The illustrations, charts, sample programs and layout examples shown in
this guide are intended solely for purposes of example. Since there are
many variables and requirements associated with any particular
installation, Allen-Bradley does not assume responsibility or liability (to
include intellectual property liability) for actual use based upon the
examples shown in this publication.
Allen-Bradley publication SGI-1.1, Safety Guidelines for the
Application, Installation and Maintenance of Solid-State Control
(available from your local Allen-Bradley office or online at
http://www.ab.com/manuals/gi), describes some important differences
between solid-state equipment and electromechanical devices that
should be taken into consideration when applying products such as those
described in this publication.
Reproduction of the contents of this copyrighted publication, in whole or
part, without written permission of Rockwell Automation, is prohibited.
Throughout this manual we use notes to make you aware of safety
considerations:
Attention statements help you to:
•identify a hazard
•avoid a hazard
•recognize the consequences
Important: Identifies information that is critical for successful
application and understanding of the product.
!
ATTENTION: Identifies informationabout practices or circumstances
that can lead to personal injury or death, property damage or economic
loss.
TIP: Identifies information that is helpful, but not necessary, in
completing a task.

Preface
About This Manual
Objectives
Read this preface to become familiar with the rest of the manual.
Related Documentation
Supporting documentation can be obtained from your local Rockwell
Automation office or distributor. It can also be viewed online at:
http://www.ab.com/manuals.
Conventions Used in this Manual
The following conventions are used throughout this manual:
•Parameter names are shown in bold typeface and follow the format
Pxxx - [*]. The P denotes parameter. The xxx represents the
parameter number. The * represents the parameter name.
•Menu commands are shown in bold type face and follow the format
Menu > Command. For example, if you read “Select File > Open,”
you should click the File menu and then click the Open command.
Topic Page
Related Documentation P-1
Conventions Used in this Manual P-1
Rockwell Automation Support P-2
For Information On: Refer to: Publication
1203-SSS (Series A) Smart Self-powered Serial Converter User Manual 1203-5.14
DF1 Protocol DF1 Protocol and Command Set Reference manual 1770-6.5.16
DriveTools32™ DriveTools32 Getting Started Manual 9303-5.23
DriveExplorer™ DriveExplorer User Manual 9306-5.0
Allen-Bradley

P-2 About This Manual
Rockwell Automation Support
Rockwell Automation offers support services worldwide, with over 75
sales/support offices, over 500 authorized distributors, and over 250
authorized systems integrators located through the United States alone.
In addition, Rockwell Automation representatives are in every major
country in the world.
Local Support
Contact your local Rockwell Automation representative for:
•Sales and order support.
•Technical training.
•Warranty support.
•Support service agreements.
Technical Assistance
If you need to contact Rockwell Automation for technical assistance,
please review the information in Chapter 4 first. If you still have
questions, then call your local Rockwell Automation representative.

Table of Contents
Preface About This Manual
Objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P-1
Related Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P-1
Conventions Used in this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P-1
Rockwell Automation Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P-2
Table of
Contents
Chapter 1 Overview
Objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
About Serial Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Features of the Serial Converter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Firmware Version. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Compatible SCANport Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Equipment Supplied with the Converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Parts of the Serial Converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Required Equipment and Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Quick Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Chapter 2 Installing the Serial Converter
Objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Selecting Cables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Installing the Serial Converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Removing the Serial Converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Chapter 3 Configuring the Serial Converter
Objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Factory-Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Accessing Parameters in a Converter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Using DriveExplorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Using Terminal Emulation Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Key Strokes for Terminal Emulation Software . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Setting the DF1 Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Setting the Serial Port Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Setting the Fault Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Resetting the Converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Allen-Bradley

ii Table of Contents
Chapter 4 Troubleshooting the Serial Converter
Objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Understanding the LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Viewing and Clearing the Event Queue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Viewing and Clearing DF1 Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Troubleshooting Potential Communications Problems . . . . . 4-5
Appendix A Specifications
Objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
Converter Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
Appendix B Serial Converter Parameters
Objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1
Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1
Appendix C FLASH Updates
Objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1
Preparing for a FLASH Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1
Performing a FLASH update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2
Troubleshooting Potential FLASH Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . C-3
Glossary
Index

Chapter
1
Overview
Objectives
Chapter 1 provides general information about the serial converter.
About Serial Connections
The converter provides a serial connection to a SCANport™ product.
Figure 1.1 Example Serial Connection
Topic Page
About Serial Connections 1-1
Features of the Serial Converter 1-2
Firmware Version 1-2
Compatible SCANport Products 1-2
Equipment Supplied with the Converter 1-2
Parts of the Serial Converter 1-3
Required Equipment and Tools 1-4
Safety Precautions 1-4
Quick Start 1-4
Number Device Description
1 Product Refer to Compatible SCANport Products in this chapter.
2 SCANport
Cable This connection supports the communications with a SCANport product and provides power to the converter. A 1202-C10
SCANport cable is included with the converter.
3 Converter The converter provides a temporary electronic communications
interface between a computer with an RS-232 serial port and a
SCANport product.
4Serial
Cable This connection uses the full-duplex RS-232 DF1 protocol. A 1203-SFC serial cable is included with the converter.
5 Computer The computer runs a software package that supports the RS-232
DF1 protocol such as DriveTools32 or DriveExplorer.
3
15
24
C002
Allen-Bradley

1-2 Overview
Features of the Serial Converter
Features of the serial converter (series B) include the following:
•Three LEDs are used to indicate the status of the module.
•Baud rates of 9600 bps, 19.2Kbps, and 38.4Kbps are supported.
•The converter receives power from the SCANport connection on the
product. An outside power source is not needed.
Firmware Version
The convention for identifying firmware releases is FRN X.xxx.
FRN = Firmware Release Number
X = Major Release Number
xxx = Minor Update Number
This manual is for Firmware releases 2.xxx.
Compatible SCANport Products
The serial converter can be used with Allen-Bradley SCANport
products, including the following:
Equipment Supplied with the Converter
When you unpack the serial converter, verify that the package includes:
•1203-SSS converter.
•1203-SFC serial cable.
•1202-C10 SCANport cable.
•DriveExplorer Lite CD.
SCANport Product SCANport Product
1305 AC Drive (Drive firmware 2.xx or later) 1394 Servo Drive
1336 FORCE™ Drive 1397 DC Drive
1336 IMPACT™ Drive 1557 Medium Voltage Drive
1336 PLUS Drive 2364 Regenerative DC Bus Supply Unit
1336 PLUS II Drive SMC Dialog Plus™
1336 REGEN Line Regeneration Package SMP-3 Smart Motor Protector
1336 SPIDER Drive

Overview 1-3
Parts of the Serial Converter
Figure 1.2 Parts of the Converter
AB
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
C001
# Part Description
1 SCANport
Connection Standard SCANport 8-pin circular mini-DIN connector. The 1202-C10 SCANport cable is plugged into this connector.
2 Status LED LED that indicates module operation. Refer to Chapter 4.
3 RX LED LED that indicates when data is received from the host
computer. Refer to Chapter 4.
4 TX LED LED that indicates when data is sent from the converter to
the computer. Refer to Chapter 4.
5 RS-232 Serial Port Locking low profile connector. The 1203-SFC serial cable is
plugged into this connector.
6 1202-C10
SCANport Cable SCANport cable (1 m) with male-to-male connectors. (Included with the converter.)
7 1203-SFC Serial
Cable Serial cable (2 m) with a locking low profile connector to connectto the converter and a 9-pin sub-miniature D female
connector to connect to a personal computer. (Included with
the converter.)
Tip: This cable can also be used to make a serial
connection to a 1203-CN1 or 1203-GU6 module.
Not
Shown DriveExplorer Lite CD CD including the DriveExplorer Lite applications and documentation. (Included with the converter.)
Allen-Bradley

1-4 Overview
Required Equipment and Tools
To configure the converter or SCANport product, we recommended that
you use a computer running DriveExplorer. You can use a Windows™
terminal emulation program (e.g., HyperTerminal) or a VT-100
compatible terminal to configure the converter, but you cannot configure
a connected SCANport product with either of these tools.
Safety Precautions
Please read the following safety precautions carefully.
Quick Start
This section is designed to help experienced users start using the serial
converter. If you are unsure how to complete a step, refer to the
referenced chapter.
!
ATTENTION: Risk of injury or equipment damage exists. Only
personnel familiar with drive and power products and the associated
machinery should plan or implement the installation, start-up,
configuration, and subsequent maintenance of the product using a serial
converter. Failure to comply may result in injury and/or equipment
damage.
!
ATTENTION: Risk of injury or equipment damage exists. If the serial
converter is transmitting control I/O to the SCANport product
(indicated by a solid green diamond LED), the SCANport product may
fault when you remove or reset the serial converter. Determine how
your SCANport product will respond before removing or resetting a
connected serial converter.
!
ATTENTION: Risk of injury or equipment damage exists.
P4 - [Comm Flt Action] lets you determine the action of the converter
and connected SCANport product if communications are disrupted. By
default, this parameter faults the SCANport product. You can set this
parameter so that the SCANport product continues to run. Precautions
should be taken to ensure that the setting of this parameter does not
create a hazard of injury or equipment damage.
Step Action Refer to
1 Review the safety precautions for the converter. Chapter 1
2 Install the converter. Chapter 2
3 Configure the converter parameters. Chapter 3

Chapter
2
Installing the Serial Converter
Objectives
Chapter 2 provides instructions for installing the serial converter.
Selecting Cables
The following cables are shipped with each converter. They are all you
should need to connect it to a SCANport product and computer.
Figure 2.1 Supplied Cables
Important: To provide proper termination of the serial cable shield, the
chassis of the computer should be properly grounded. If it is
not possible or practical to ground this, then a ground wire
should be connected to the serial cable shield at the shell of
the 9-pin sub-miniature D connector.
Topic Page
Selecting Cables 2-1
Installing the Serial Converter 2-2
Removing the Serial Converter 2-2
Number Description Catalog Number
1 SCANport cable to connect the converter to a drive. 1202-C10
2 Serial cable to connect the converter to the computer. 1203-SFC
3 If you are connecting the converter to an HPC
(handheld PC) or PPC (Palm-sized PC), you must
use either a null cable converter or a standard
computer null cable with two male 9-pin
sub-miniature D connectors. These must be
purchased separately.
1203-SNM
(if needed)
(sold separately)
23
1
C007
Allen-Bradley

2-2 Installing the Serial Converter
Installing the Serial Converter
1. Connect the converter to the product using the SCANport cable.
Figure 2.2 Connecting a SCANport Cable to the Converter
2. Connect the converter to the computer using the serial cable.
Figure 2.3 Connecting a Serial Cable to the Converter
3. Apply power to the SCANport product. The converter receives its
power from the SCANport product, so the SCANport product must
be powered before the converter will operate.
The diamond light on the converter flashes green to indicate that the
converter is properly installed and receiving power. If it does not
illuminate, refer to Chapter 4.
Removing the Serial Converter
1. Disconnect the SCANport cable from the product and then from the
converter. To disconnect it, gently push it in and then pull it out.
2. Disconnect the serial cable from the converter and then the computer.
C003
C004
!
ATTENTION: Risk of injury or equipment damage exists. If the serial
converter is transmitting control I/O to the SCANport product
(indicated by a solid green diamond LED), the SCANport product may
fault when you remove or reset the serial converter. Determine how
your SCANport product will respond before removing or resetting a
connected serial converter.

Chapter
3
Configuring the Serial Converter
Objectives
Chapter 3 provides information about configuring the serial converter.
Factory-Default Settings
The factory-default settings of the serial converter are the following:
Accessing Parameters in a Converter
The serial converter stores parameters and other information in its own
non-volatile memory. You must, therefore, access the converter to view
and edit its parameters. The following table lists tools that you can use to
access the converter and edit its parameters.
Topic Page
Factory-Default Settings 3-1
Accessing Parameters in a Converter 3-1
Using DriveExplorer 3-2
Using Terminal Emulation Software 3-3
Key Strokes for Terminal Emulation Software 3-7
Setting the DF1 Address 3-7
Setting the Serial Port Rate 3-8
Setting the Fault Action 3-9
Resetting the Converter 3-10
Feature Default Setting Parameter
Node Address 1 P2 - [DF1 Address]
Serial Port Rate 9600 bps P3 - [Serial Port Rate]
Fault Action Fault P4 - [Comm Flt Action]
Tool Refer To
DriveExplorer software page 3-2 in this manual
Terminal emulation software page 3-3 in this manual
VT100-compatible terminal Documentation for the terminal
Allen-Bradley

3-2 Configuring the Serial Converter
Using DriveExplorer
With DriveExplorer software, you can edit parameters in both the serial
converter and the connected SCANport product. DriveExplorer Lite is
shipped with converter. It is a free, limited-featured version of
DriveExplorer.
DriveExplorer Lite Quick Start
This section is designed to help users start using DriveExplorer Lite. If
you are unsure how to complete a step, refer to the online help (select
Help > Help Topics) or the DriveExplorer User Manual, Publication
9303-5.0, which is included on the CD.
Figure 3.1 DriveExplorer
Step Action
1 Select Explore > Configure Communication. Select the communications port
and baud rate that you are using. Select either checksum and accept the default
time for the time-out.
2 Select Explore > Connect > Local. A node eventually appears under Devices.
3 In the left pane, click the + signs to expand the tree. Click the SCANport product
or converter to display its parameters in the right pane. Double-click a parameter
to edit it.
S007

Configuring the Serial Converter 3-3
Using Terminal Emulation Software
This section provides detailed instructions on how to use terminal
emulation software to access the converter so that you can view and edit
converter parameters or view the converter event queue.
A variety of terminal emulation programs can be used to establish a
serial connection between a computer and the converter. The following
instructions describe how to establish the initial serial connection to the
converter using a computer running HyperTerminal—terminal emulation
software provided with most Windows operating system.
Important: The following instructions use screen captures from
Windows 95 HyperTerminal. If you are using Windows
NT
™ or Windows 98 HyperTerminal, screens may differ.
To use HyperTerminal to access the converter
1. Verify that the converter is installed correctly. Refer to Chapter 2.
2. On the Windows 95 desktop, click the Start button, and then select
Programs > Accessories > HyperTerminal to display the
HyperTerminal dialog box (Figure 3.2).Your dialog box may look
slightly different.
On the Windows NT desktop, click the Start button, and then select
Programs > Accessories > HyperTerminal to display the
Connection dialog box (Refer to Figure 3.3). Then, go to step 6.
Figure 3.2 HyperTerminal Dialog Box in List View
3. Double-click Hypertrm.exe.
S001
Allen-Bradley

3-4 Configuring the Serial Converter
The Connection Description dialog box appears in the HyperTerminal
workspace.
Figure 3.3 Connection Dialog Box
4. In the Name box, type any name (e.g., converter), and then select any
icon in the Icon box.
5. Click OK to display the Phone Number dialog box.
6. In the Connect Using box, select the communications port that you
intend to use (usually COM1 or COM2).
7. Click OK to display the Properties dialog box.
S002

Configuring the Serial Converter 3-5
8. Select the settings shown in Figure 3.4.
Important: If you have previously set P3-[Serial Port Rate] to
19.2K or 38.4K, select that value in the Bits per second
box.
Figure 3.4 Properties Dialog Box
9. Click OK. A blank HyperTerminal workspace appears.
10. Select File > Properties to display the Properties dialog box.
11. Click the Settings tab. See Figure 3.5.
12. Under Function, arrow, and ctrl keys act as, select Terminal keys.
13. In the Emulation box, select VT100.
S004
Allen-Bradley

3-6 Configuring the Serial Converter
Figure 3.5 Properties Dialog Box
14. Click OK to display the HyperTerminal workspace.
15. Press the Enter key until the main menu appears.
Figure 3.6 Main Menu
S005
TIP: Select File > Save to save the HyperTerminal configuration that
you just created. In future connections, you can select the saved
configuration and quickly connect to the converter.
What do you want to do? Page
Set up terminal emulation software 3-3
Edit the DF1 address, serial port rate, or fault action 3-7 through 3-9
View the event queue 4-3
View DF1 data 4-4
Update the firmware C-1
Main Menu - Enter Number for Selection
1> Display Setup Parameters
2> Display Event Queue
3> Update FLASH Program

Configuring the Serial Converter 3-7
Key Strokes for Terminal Emulation Software
Setting the DF1 Address
The DF1 address is the address that the converter is using on the serial
network. If you have multiple nodes on a serial network, each node
needs a unique DF1 address. The factory-default DF1 address is 1.
To set the DF-1 address
1. In the main menu (Figure 3.6), press 1 to display the parameters.
2. Press ↑or ↓to scroll to P2 - [DF1 Address].
Figure 3.7 DF1 Address Parameter
3. Press →or ←to scroll to the desired value, and then press Enter.
4. Reset the converter. Refer to Resetting the Converter in this chapter.
Key Description
0 – 9 In the main menu, keys 1 – 3 select a menu option.
In the parameter screen, keys 0– 9 enter a value.
Esc Display the main menu or abort changes to a parameter.
↑
or
↓
Scroll through parameters or events.
→
or
←
Scroll through the values for a parameter.
Enter Save a value for a parameter.
Press the UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW key to scroll
through the parameter list. Press the LEFT ARROW or
RIGHT ARROW key to modify parameter values. Press
the ENTER key to save a new value.
2> DF1 Address = 1
Allen-Bradley

3-8 Configuring the Serial Converter
Setting the Serial Port Rate
The serial port rate, sometimes called baud rate, is the speed at which the
computer and converter communicate. You can select a serial port rate of
9600, 19.2K, or 38.4K with the serial converter (Series B). The
factory-default serial port rate is 9600.
Important: If you change the serial port rate in the converter, you must
set your software to use the same serial port rate.
To set the serial port rate
1. In the main menu (Figure 3.6), press 1 to display the parameters.
2. Press ↑or ↓to scroll to P3 - [Serial Port Rate].
Figure 3.8 Serial Port Rate Parameter
3. Press →or ←to scroll to the desired value, and then press Enter.
4. Reset the converter. Refer to Resetting the Converter in this chapter.
5. Set the serial port rate in your software to match the new serial port
rate in the converter.
Press the UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW key to scroll
through the parameter list. Press the LEFT ARROW or
RIGHT ARROW key to modify parameter values. Press
the ENTER key to save a new value.
3> Serial Port Rate = 9600